The Animal Keepers

The Animal Keepers tells the true story of the Stevens Point High School cross country team and their unforgettable journey through the 1985 season. Joined by first year runner Scott "The Animal" Longley the year takes an unexpected turn as this most unlikely hero leads them on a quest for a state title.

There was little to suggest that the new kid from the special education classroom was a runner when he showed up on the first day of practice, but Scott was determined to try. Somehow he had come to believe that if he worked hard enough he could earn a spot on one of the most successful cross country teams in the state of Wisconsin. Surrounded by a group of serious and dedicated runners "The Animal" set out to prove his case. Driven by his incredible enthusiasm and never ending optimism the '85 season became a voyage of discovery for Scott, his coach, and his teammates as they worked to assemble a competitive team from a jumble of spare parts.

Told from the perspective of a young coach this is a book about running, competing, and team building, but at its center this is the story of a young man with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities who loved to run, loved to compete, and most of all loved being part of a team.